Mental Health During The Midterms

An Oxymoron?

“Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.” — Unknown

 

The clock is ticking…November 3rd is now less than a month away, where we will vote for 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 seats in the U.S. Senate. It’s a big deal.

There is a lot at stake and tempers are running high. So is anxiety. Here are some ways to batten down the hatches over the next few weeks when you will no doubt be bombarded with phone bankers, robo-calls, texts and postcards requesting donations and support:

1. Get Involved. Volunteer to work on a campaign for a candidate in whom you believe. Or work the polls on Voting Day. Or display signs or merch to support them. Or give money. Or all the above. It feels empowering to work with like-minded individuals in your community for an important cause or candidate. I volunteered for my first political campaign (the governor’s race in Georgia) with my father and a sister when I was a teenager, long before I could vote. I’ve worked on many since then, and while my candidates have lost more than won, I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.
2. Limit News Consumption and Social Media. Get a “taste” of several news outlets. Do the homework to feel more confident about who and what you are voting for. Read media coverage and view or listen to pundits on both sides of the aisle and do your own critical thinking vs introjecting those of others. Respectfully challenge those with whom you disagree. Engage to confirm your opinion or change them. Avoid those who are over-zealous and self-righteous. Know that memes, in this ever increasingly fast-paced world, can be overly broad and quite deceptive. Ask for clarification vs assuming you know what they mean.
3. Stay Respectful. It’s very easy to sink into cynicism, apathy, to overgeneralize, to hate. It may be helpful to hold onto the fact that there are integrity-based, honest, caring citizens who fervently wish to improve our system. They may be the minority, but the political race is about sorting through the candidates and voting for those you believe in.
4. Self-Care. Keep balance in your life with work, school, family, health care, and fun.
5. Honor History by Voting. Remember how hard our ancestors fought to secure the right for women and people of color to vote, and how many times a very slender margin of votes did indeed make a difference in election outcomes. One of the best ways to keep sane during this stressful time is to vote.

Remember, we have little right to complain about the state of affairs if we do not participate in the election process by voting.

 

Learn more about hypnotherapy and hypnosis for anxiety. I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to anyone who wishes to make a positive change in their life. Please get in touch to schedule your call.

 

“Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian.” – Robert Orben